J.C. Martin 4/10/22 J.C. Martin 4/10/22

And The Winner Is… Tammy Winser of Westport

`Miggs Burroughs with album design competition winner Tammy Winser and Dale Najarian`

The Westport library enlisted Dale Najarian and Miggs Burroughs of the Artists Collective of Westport to create and administer an album cover competition for Verso Studio’s first vinyl compilation album. Dale and Miggs in turn, enlisted Paul Efstanthiou of the Hollis Tagert Gallery, Carole Erger-Fass, Library Exhibits Director, and drummer for the Alice Cooper Band Neal Smith to join them as jurors. And the winner is… Tammy Winser of Westport. Her winning design is on the giant Christian J. Trefz Forum screen above in third photo.

`Here are all of the entries in the Verso Records album cover competition.`

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

J.C. Martin 4/10/22 J.C. Martin 4/10/22

Verso Fest Day Two Hosts Verso Records First Album Release Party

`Chris Frantz, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee of Talking Heads introduces emerging musicians Daniprobably on stage.`

Saturday was the second day of the remarkable, inaugural music and media festival VersoFest, at the Westport Library. Inspired by SXSW in Austin, Texas, hundreds of fans and those curious to learn about the world of music and media were informed and inspired throughout the day with talks where filmmakers, hip hop artists, esteemed producers, and legendary musicians shared their perspective and vision. There was truly something for everyone.

At 6:00 pm, Executive Director Bill Harmer took to the stage before a jubilant crowd in the Trefz Forum to announce the release of Verso Studios debut album, a limited-press vinyl and digital compilation of music by artists in Connecticut and the wider tri-state area. Several beautiful session videos from the album’s performers which range from jazz to rock to hip hop and indie were shown on the Library’s massive LED screen.

The albums cover art was also sourced locally. Over 50 submissions were judged by a selection committee featuring Neil Smith of the original Alice Cooper Group, the Westport Artists Collective and others. The selected artwork by Westport artist Tammy Winser received a round of enthusiastic applause. She cited music as the chief inspiration for her visual art.

Harmer then introduced Rock n’ Roll legendary Hall of Famer Chris Frantz, who is curating promising new talent for a series at the Library titled Chris Frantz Presents Emerging Musicians at the Westport Library. The evenings concert opened with the indie pop band Daniprobably led by Danielle Capalbo. With her soulful, heartfelt, and addictive songs she commanded everyone’s attention.

Enid Ze, playing a blend of African and modern pop, was the mesmerizing closing act of an incredible day.

Music during the weekend was co-produced with the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

James Bairaktaris 4/10/22 James Bairaktaris 4/10/22

Coleytown Company Brings Song and Smiles to Westport with Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical

`All photos by Jaime Bairaktaris/WestportLocal.com. Click to enlarge photos.`

Coleytown Middle School students took to the stage on Friday as they presented Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical on their opening night. The show brings the audience into the deep depths of Bikini Bottom as they follow Spongebob, Patrick, Sandy, and the rest of the cast on their adventures through friendship during hardship. In yet another display of a community transitioning from surviving to thriving - the kids of Coleytown Company and the educators who guided them have given Westporters and their families another reason to come together in celebration of something spectacular.

The show’s last performance is today at 1:00 PM. Click here to get tickets.